Vintage Rods and Reel

[gilkeybr]

My grandpa is doing some "spring cleaning" and offered up his fishing equipment.  I didn't expect to find anything of much use, but did find things that were pretty interesting (maybe not so interesting to people more experienced than myself).  I thought I would share:

 

The first is a Shimano Bantam Mag Plus XHS.  This was the most modern of his equipment to put into context what we're working with.  It was paired up with a 5'6" Medium action pistol grip Bantam rod.  I thought this matching combo was pretty cool.  He had it spooled with what seemed like 4-6lb mono.  I respooled it with some fresh line and look forward to taking it out to try to catch some fish!  Should make for a fun popper rod.  Comparing this Bantam XHS to my Bantam MGL XG is very interesting.  Reels sure have progressed a long way

 

The last picture is of his first fishing pole.  There is no evidence of a brand or anything on it.  He said he found it in a parking lot in 1948, so not sure of the exact age.  Its a square (or octagonal) section steel rod!  This is where I am green behind the ears as it never occured to me that fishing poles were made out of steel!  The rod is about 4' or maybe 4'6" and feels like an absolute boat anchor.  The weight belies its power/action as it would best be described as a ML/Extra-Moderate action.  The reel on it also is unbranded.  It has no anti-reverse and no spool release.  I think any cast of 10 yards with this setup would be considered herculean!

 

Maybe this will give some people a trip down memory lane.  

[Guitarfish]

I have 8-9 different Bantam Mags.  But I'm still fishing them, lol.

[mrpao]

I have some of the older bantam reels on my shelf.

Those were nice reels back in the days. They're still pretty to look at.

It would be like driving a car from the 70's or 80's compared to today's cars. There is just so much more refinement nowadays. And way more expensive too.

[NOC 1]

The first fishing rig I ever had was a Tru-Temper brand telescopic steel rod and reel. The reel was pretty much as you described yours. Back then if you wanted to cast much you used a spinning set-up or a spin-caster. The bait-casters were pretty much used for bait fishing where we'd put heavy chunk of lead a few feet up the (braided cotton) line, and then put a chunk of bait on the hook and launch it over the side. You'd peel off line as the current took you away from the spot. We would anchor some distance away and then sit, eat sandwiches, and talk while we waited for something to happen.

[Bankc]

I still use one of my Grandpa's old Abu 5000D as a crankbait reel virtually every time I go out.  I have that one paired with an old Daiwa Apollo, moderate action, pistol grip rod.  It says it's graphite, but it's action is closer to fiberglass.  I have another 5000D that I don't use as much that's on an old Abu Garcia fiberglass rod.  They both work fine, though they require a lot more thumb to cast with than any of my other reels, which makes casting fluoro into the wind a pain.  Especially with a light lure.  The super low ratio (3.8:1) is odd in today's world, but I don't mind.  And the "direct drive" is interesting, in that you have to let go of the handle to enact the drag.  I enjoy using them.  They're a bit more challenging and fickle, but they also have a lot of good memories attached to them.

 

I also still use my old Bantam B-100 Mag from around 1990, which was my first baitcaster that I got when I was like 10 or something.  It's actually a pretty nice reel even by today's standards.  It casts well and the magnetic brakes are as good as what you'll find today.  My only real complaint is that it doesn't have the continuous anti-reverse.  It may not be as feature packed as a modern reel, but it's got proven reliability.  

 

The way I see it, this stuff caught fish back then, and while fishing technology has advanced, the fish haven't.  

[the reel ess]

I have that same reel in the 350 size. My dad had it when he died. I think he broke the crank on it because it has an obvious aftermarket one. It's funny that it says XHS Extra High Speed retrieve at 5.1:1. They were almost all 4.7:1 back then. This 350 model is BIG and pretty heavy and has a very smooth drag. It also does not have instant anti-reverse. I doubt he used it much because it works like new. It's not even noisy. I cleaned it and took it out once for old time's sake and caught a bass on a lipless crank. Honestly, it would be a good reel for stripers or catfish. It's a bit much for largemouth.

[Tywithay]

I tried taking out a couple of my dad's old Ted Williams reels and Daiwa ProCaster Pr10. They still get the job done, but we're definitely spoiled by the stuff we have today. Those others look better in my display case than out on the water. 

[the reel ess]

2 minutes ago, Tywithay said:

I tried taking out a couple of my dad's old Ted Williams reels and Daiwa ProCaster Pr10. They still get the job done, but we're definitely spoiled by the stuff we have today. Those others look better in my display case than out on the water. 

I was still using a Procaster from 1983 up until maybe 3 years ago. I had worn out parts several times, but Daiwa would still send me replacement parts free of charge. They didn't even charge postage.

[Catt]

[greentrout]

 

My dad gave me this years ago ... I've used it on occasion and it still works ...

 

good fishing ...

[wis bang]

1965, my first trip to Ontario [11 yrs old] and Pappy hands me a short, pistol grip steel rod with red glass guides, a no name level wind reel with 30# 'squidding line and a home built 36" leader [all from Herter's catalog]to troll for northern pike  in the one shallow, weedy, lake on the way to he bigger lake where we fished for large mouths on spinning gear...

 

He had two, I think they were 'True Temper' rods..

[Drowned Worm]

My grandfather passed away almost a year ago and I've been given all his fishing gear. I was doing research on the reels, rods and lures and have been stumped by only 1 reel. It's 2 inches tall and has "PENNANT" on the handle side of the housing. There appears to be "66" with something starting "MA" on the underside where it would secure to the rod. Any information would be helpful. Not sure if there is a better thread for this but it seemed appropriate discussing Grandfather's reels on this one. I'll try to upload a photo but can't at this moment.

[MAN]

I still fish a Bantam Mag Plus... plan on buying some more shortly.